Preservative and process for forming the same



10 COMPOSITIONS,

COATING R PLASTIC.

Patented Nov. 1, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT HENRY SGHUMACI-IER, 0]? LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- FOURTH TO BENJAMIN WHITE FULGHUM AND ONE-FOURTH TO EDGAR WHITE FU'LGHUM, BOTH OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, AND ONE-FOURTH TO WILL RAY SADLER, OF SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA.

PRESERVATIVE AND PROCESS FOR FORMING THE SAME.

No Drawing.

This invention relates to a process for forming an insoluble toxic soapy composition adapted to be employed. for the eradication of any and all parasites and the prevention of decay or rot of woods.

An object of the invention is to provide a compound as a wood preservative and a process for forming said compound which will saturate the fibers and cells of wood to prevent circulation of water and air and also exterminate all life which causes the destruction of wood.

A further object of the invention is to provide a compound which will prevent the attachment of barnacles, clams, or other forms of sea life on wood or articles made of wood which are adapted to be immersed in water.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a compound which will not only preserve the material of docks, wharves and piers but which Will likewise preserve the same from injury or destruction by all forms of life found in fresh or salt water.

In practice the preservative is prepared by the neutralization of the free fatty acids occurring in any oil by some alkali and by the occlusion of colloidal impurities held in suspension in such oils. This neutralization may be accomplished by the use of any alkali. Of the alkalies the use of sodium is preferable because the resultant preservative is more soluble and therefore can be more readily Worked. The resultant product is what I term solid material and is the basis of my preservative and comprises a soluble toxic soapy compound which I designate as composition A.

It will be appreciated that the greater percentage of the well known oils contain some fatty matter. Some of the examples of the marine animal oils which may be employed in this process are fish oils, liver oils, and blubber oils.

This solid material contains at least metallic salts of the free fatty acids found in the treated oils with the remaining 20% comprising toxic compounds which defy chemical analysis.

This composition A is the product of the neutralization of the free fatty acids of any Serial No. 619,272.

oil and composition B is creosote or creosote oil and is used as a vehicle of the finished preservative.

The third composition 0, which includes either copper resinate, copper oleates, mer- CL1I10 arsenate, arsenates or arsenites is classified as the insecticides. Other similar substance or salts may be substituted for any one of the copper salts or the salts of arsenic or arsenlous acid and which have a similar effect upon the wood-destroying bacteria, fungi, insects, or barnacles.

In order to form a standard mixture from these three compositions, I take 100 parts by weight of composition A, 2500 parts by weight of composition B and 250 parts by weight of composition C and thoroughly mix them together. The whole is then heated until all the ingredients are intimately combined. This mixture is applied as is common in the practice of treating creosoted wood by any one of the well-known processes, such as the full cell, the Rueping, or the empty cell process.

These proportions of the three compositions may be varied as the conditions require, and either the copper resinate or the stronger insecticides or the creosote may be reduced or eliminated entirely where the preservative is to be employed in combating certain specific parasites which cause the destruction or decay of wood. The copper resinate may be: replaced by any of the stronger insecticides with equally satisfactory results in the treatment of building wood or timbers.

The exact chemical analysis of composition A has not been definitely determined but I have found that it contains at least 20% toxic salts which are produced when an oil is treated with an alkali. Organic oils are preferably employed because they are more readily converted into the basic preservative compound described under composition A.

This standard mixture may be modified according to the particular type of sea life, air insect, or pest it is desired to destroy and according to the condition or manner in which the mixture is to be applied. Again,

are

Sealite as a preservative may be em ployed for treating piles or piling, railroad cross ties, telephone or telegraph poles, fence posts, building posts and timbers in order to prevent destruction, rot and decay.

The eilticiency of creosote in the treatment of Woods is Well known and either creosote may be employed or any of the creosote oils may be substituted for creosote and be just as efiiective for the purpose when used as a constituent of Sealite.

This compound when applied to any surface covered with marine life will efiectively clean the surface by destroying their power to adhere to the surface.

The standard practice in treating timbers with creosote is thus briefly statedthe matcrials to be treated are placed in a treating tank and heated to a temperature specified by the person for whom the timbers are being treated. A vacuum is then created in the tank in order to remove moisture and sap from the timbers. The vacuum is then broken and a treating fluid such as creosote is injected into the tank. When the tank is full of the creosote pressure is then applied to the tank and the creosote is forced into the wood.

If the full cell treatment is desired the creosote is allowed to be drained from the tank and the timbers. If, however, the Rueping treatment is desired, the creosote is .pumpedfrom the treating tank and a vacuum is againbreated in order to remove an excess of creosote.

What I claim is:

l. A composition of matter comprising 2500 parts of creosote, 250 parts of an insect-icide and 100 parts of a solid residue formed from the treatment of an oil containing free fatty acids by an alkali.

2. A composition of matter comprising 2500 parts of creosote, 250 parts of copper mixture until all of the ingredients are combined.

ROBERT HENRY SCHUMACHER. 

